Job Description

Expressions of interest are invited for this Director (SCS 2) role as Chief People Officer (CPO). The interim role is open to substantive SG staff and those who fall under Common Citizenship at Deputy Director (SCS 1) level on temporary promotion or Directors (SCS 2) on level transfer for up to 6 months whilst the post is out for external advert. Chartered FCIPD is a requirement of the role.

Given the likely short period of cover required, and the departure date of the incumbent, very quick release from current responsibilities will be essential.

The Chief People Officer plays a vital role in shaping the strengthening our workforce, developing our people and ensuring we remain a values‑driven, inclusive organisation where people can thrive. You will be operating within a complex and challenging environment where the people agenda is contested and where actions, and decisions, taken by the CPO and the function are highly visible.

Role and Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Scottish Government’s people agenda, advising the Permanent Secretary and senior leaders.
• Oversee the full suite of HR services, ensuring high‑quality delivery across HR strategy, workforce planning, talent and leadership development, employee relations and reward, HR policy, casework, resourcing, diversity and inclusion, people analytics and the HR service centre.
• Sustain a values‑led culture that fosters inclusion, supports wellbeing, strengthens psychological safety and encourages high performance.
• Ensure robust governance, accountability and performance across all HR and people functions, including oversight of a payroll operation of circa £870m and shared services supporting over 25,000 users.
• Champion innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement, ensuring that all HR services are modern, customer‑centred and compliant with relevant policies, legislation and Civil Service standards.

For this interim assignment the key priorities will be to ensure that the senior team in People Directorate are able to continue to operate at the highest level, that core functions remain stable and that key improvement activities progress. There will be a particular focus on finalising the People Directorate Business Plan for 26-27 as the post-election and Corporate Plan priorities are clarified. The capability review, people strategy and workforce planning initiatives will be central to the role along with next steps on hybrid. Operational priorities will be to provide leadership on our interface into the pensions recovery work, land the implementation of Oracle HR Helpdesk and the work on HR shared service centre improvement. Maintaining momentum on the directorate plans to deliver the reduction in FTE and live within budget will be critical.

Behaviours:

You are expected to provide evidence of the following behaviours at Level 6.

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours

Experience:

• Substantial strategic HR leadership experience
• Political awareness, sound judgement, and the confidence to work effectively with Executive Teams, Boards and complex stakeholder groups
• The capability to lead and develop the People function, setting clear direction and fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture

Qualification:

• Chartered FCIPD is a requirement of the role.

Further Information

Further information about this opportunity is available from Miriam Craven, DG Corporate at DGCorporate@gov.scotor the current post holder Nicky Richards at Nicola.Richards@gov.scot

For this interim period we are limited in the extent of flexible working that would be feasible for this full-time role. The role is Edinburgh based and 2-3 days per week in the office are required, across St Andrew’s House and Saughton House. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Salary on temporary promotion will be at the Director minimum of £111, 916. On return to your substantive grade your salary will be adjusted accordingly.

How to apply

Apply online by midday on Tuesday 26th May providing your CV and expression of interest, which should be no longer than 500 words and should explain why this would be a great opportunity for you at this stage in your career and what you would bring to the role. The note should confirm that you meet the qualification criteria and have discussed the opportunity with your Director/DG and that they would be content to release you quickly if the application is successful.

Selection Process

Candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to a discussion with the Miriam and Shona Riach, DG Exchequer, Strategy & Performance. They will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the opportunity.